Nate Diaz's teammate Chris Avila has once again found himself in an ugly pre-fight scene at a press conference as bottles and hot water were thrown.
The California native is in New Orleans to face Paul Bamba in the co-main event of Misfits Boxing 006, but has been suspiciously quiet in the build-up. He skipped the pair's open workout on Tuesday before making a brief appearance at yesterday's pre-fight press conference which was filled with drama.
As Bamba was beginning to launch into a diatribe about his rival, wearing a custom-made t-shirt slamming Avila as Diaz's 'waterboy', their teams got into it off stage. And Bamba claims that hot water was thrown at members of his side, while bottles were also flung between the pair's camps.
"It's just been awkward the whole time," Bamba explained while speaking to YouTuber Fox 'FoxTheG' Townley, who was hit during the melee. "He's not even saying anything it's mainly just his team doing weird stuff, throwing hot water on people, burning people, it's weird we get to punch each other in the face on Friday so I don't see what's the rush.
"I was walking and they crossed the street and came and threw coffee on me and it was awkward as hell. I didn't want to get jumped, though, I don't think they were promoing, I think they were just trying to assault people, who throws hot water on somebody? Cold water I get... One of the DAZN cameraman got burned, he's on his way to the hospital."
When Townley asked if Avila's team's behaviour would put the fight in jeopardy, Bamba responded that "normally it would, but I'm hoping that it doesn't. That would be tight because I didn't do s***, Chris also didn't do s*** so I kind of feel like we should be good, I hope not, we're not going to manifest that".
What did you make of the Chris Avila and Paul Bamba press conference? Let us know your thoughts in the comments section below!
Bamba has been out of action since list September after a number of unfortunate fight cancellations, including his infamous bout with Tommy Fury. The Brit failed to make the lightweight limit for their Dubai clash which led to Bamba withdrawing and Fury fighting in a farcical exhibition instead.
Meanwhile, Avila has managed to turn his career around since swapping MMA, where he was once in the UFC and Bellator, for boxing at the end of 2021. He has won his last two fights against Anthony Taylor and Dr Mike Varshavski, with Bamba his next opponent and a step up in his ring return.
Diaz himself is a frequent staple of Avila's corner team, but he was not in attendance for the melee at yesterday's press conference. He is expected to attend on fight night, but is also in a camp of his own for his upcoming August 5 bout with Jake Paul in Dallas.
